[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 64 (Friday, May 17, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--S. 2179

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri.
  Mrs. CARNAHAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 375, S. 2179, 
that the bill be read a third time, passed, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. LOTT. Reserving the right to object, this legislation was just 
called to my attention. We have not had a chance to review it and to do 
a hotline on it to see if there are any problems with it. It looks like 
something we will be able to clear, but at this time we have not had a 
chance to do that so I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  Mrs. CARNAHAN. I find it unbelievable that my colleagues on the other 
side of the aisle would object to a bill, unanimously passed by the 
Judiciary Committee, to honor the law enforcement and public safety 
officers who risk their lives daily to keep us safe. The bill I 
introduced provides a small amount of money to honor those who have 
been injured or killed in the line of duty. As we celebrate Police 
Officers Memorial Week, it is troubling to me that anyone would want to 
deny them the recognition that they are due.
  I hope whoever is blocking this bill from passing will reconsider 
their opposition and let us honor these brave men and women.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Republican leader.
  Mr. LOTT. Madam President, there is a process of doing legislation in 
the Senate. This was just reported, as I understand it, yesterday. I 
made the point I had not had a chance to review it at all.
  I note we should honor, in whatever way possible, men and women who 
have fallen in the line of duty as law enforcement and public safety 
officers. But just looking at this preliminarily, it provides Federal 
grants to States, local governments, and Indian tribes to establish 
permanent tributes to honor men and women who are killed or disabled 
while serving as law enforcement or public safety officers. We have had 
that happen in my home community. Policemen and highway patrolmen have 
lost their lives. We should honor them. We should do that locally and 
privately.

  For the Federal Government to encourage and maybe to participate is 
worth considering, but there is a principle here. I am not sure it is 
one that we want to just approve without having a chance to take a 
closer look at it.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nevada.
  Mr. REID. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the 
quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Corzine). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

                          ____________________